Suriya

Saravanan Sivakumar, professionally known as Suriya, is a distinguished figure in Indian cinema, particularly in the realm of Tamil films, where he commands one of the highest salaries. Born on July 23, 1975, Suriya has garnered a plethora of awards throughout his career, including two National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and two South Indian International Movie Awards. His financial success is also evident as he has been featured six times in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list, a testament to his prominence in the industry. Beginning his acting journey with “Nerukku Ner” in 1997 at the young age of 22, Suriya swiftly rose to prominence with his breakthrough role in “Nandha” (2001), followed by commercial success in “Kaakha Kaakha” (2003). His versatility shone through in award-winning portrayals such as a conman in “Pithamagan” (2003) and a hunchback in “Perazhagan” (2004). The blockbuster “Ghajini” (2005), where he portrayed a character afflicted with anterograde amnesia, further solidified his standing in the industry. Notably, his dual roles as a father and son in “Vaaranam Aayiram” (2008) established him as a force to be reckoned with. Suriya’s prowess in action-packed roles was showcased in movies like “Ayan” (2009) and the “Singam” trilogy, where he portrayed an aggressive cop. He also demonstrated his range in genres with successes in science fiction films such as “7aum Arivu” (2011) and “24” (2016), followed by critically acclaimed performances in “Soorarai Pottru” (2020) and “Jai Bhim” (2021), the former earning him the National Film Award for Best Actor. Outside of his acting career, Suriya is the elder son of renowned actor Sivakumar, with his younger brother Karthi also making waves in the film industry. In 2006, he tied the knot with actress Jyothika, with whom he has shared the screen in seven films. Additionally, Suriya is committed to philanthropy through his Agaram Foundation, established in 2008, and ventured into television as a presenter in 2012 with “Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi,” the Tamil adaptation of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”. In 2013, he expanded his horizons by founding the production house 2D Entertainment.